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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Comedy contest crown goes to Ben Walker
Ben walker (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
HE still has a day job, but now comedian Ben Walker can take pride in the knowledge that he's the funniest local person with one.
Walker topped a field of seven finalists on Tuesday night at Rumor's Comedy Club to win the 2012 version of Winnipeg's Funniest Person With a Day Job. After advancing through a series of preliminary rounds, each of Tuesday's contestants was given 10 minutes onstage to bring the funny, and Walker's mix of offbeat observations and unexpected asides was enough to earn him the title over another local comedy favourite, Keener, who finished second on the judges' scorecards.
"It's kind of a relief, actually," Walker said afterward. "I've been in the finals for three years -- I was third two years ago, and I was second last year, so to finally win it is nice.
"I just wanted to have a good set; that's what I was focused on, and I think I did that."
For his efforts, the Saskatchewan-born funnyman will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to perform at a Las Vegas comedy club.
Walker, who actually does hold down a daytime office job, is part of the city's burgeoning amateur and semi-professional comedy scene, which currently features open-mike nights and regular comedy showcases at least twice weekly and sometimes as often as five or six nights a week.
Walker is also co-host of the local Shaw Cable comedy show Week Thus Far, and last spring was on the roster of The Winnipeg Show at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
After his win on Tuesday, Walker had little time to celebrate, as he and his comedy comrades were headed to a lounge in St. James to take part in yet another open-mike showcase.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 16, 2012 D2
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